Anti-knife lessons for children aged as young as 11
Children as young as 11 are to be taught the dangers of carrying knives ahead of the summer holidays in the West Midlands.
The Home Office today said almost 50,000 teachers nationwide will receive lesson plans as part of the initiative.
The hour-long lessons will educate the children, from ages 11 to 16, the dangers of social media, the impact on carrying knives and how they can resist peer pressure.
It forms part of the Home office's campaign against carrying knives.
And it comes on the back of a rise in knife crime in the West Midlands.
Crime Minister Victoria Atkins said: “The summer holidays can pose additional dangers to young people, which is why we are determined to do everything we can to keep them safe and give them tools and resilience they need to enjoy the summer break.
“We need everyone to work together to tackle the rise in serious violence and I thank every teacher who takes the time in their busy schedule to deliver these vital lessons to their students
Children’s Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Knife crime has devastating consequences on society and this government is determined to take action and protect our children, families and communities from it.
“These lesson plans will help illustrate the real impact of knife crime on young people’s lives. It’s heartening to know schools up and down the country are taking advantage of them.”
Today, the Home Secretary chairs the latest Serious Violence Taskforce which is to focus on early intervention and methods for preventing young people becoming caught up in a life of crime.
